Load-carrier.



J. E. PORTER L W. W. THOMAS.

LOAD CARRIER.

APPLIoATloN FILED Dnc. 27, 1910.

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J; B. PORTER s W. w. THOMAS.

LOAD CARRIER.

IIIIIIIIIIIIII ED DEO 27 1910.

1,003,948. Patented sept. 19,1911.

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' LOAD CARRIER.

APPLICATION FILED 1120.27, 1910.

1,003,948, Patented Sept. 19, 1911.

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-e WQ l www UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN E. PORTER AND WILLIAM W. THOMAS, F BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA.

LOAD-CARRIER.

Patented Sept. 19, 1911.

y c To all whom ttf/nay concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN E. PORTER and WILLIAM W. THOMAS, citizens of the United States, residing at Berkeley, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have lnvented new and useful Improvements inl Load-Carriers, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to a carrier, and more particularly to the class of movable i1 load` carriers or carriages.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a carrier of this character in which the fall block is automatically locked in the same, for the transportationV of a a load from one locality to another, and which intervals for the transportation of a load from one point to another, and the reloading of the same at any designated place.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a carrier which is simple in construction, smooth and easy in its travel,

strong, durable, light of weight, thoroughly reliable and efficient in operation, and inexpensive in manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts,as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings: Figure lis a side elevation of a `carrier constructed in accordance with the invention, and mounted on its suspension cable. Fig. 2 is a similar view Vshowing the fall block released and in slightly lowered position. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the bumper block. Fig. 5 is a front elevation thereof. Fig. 6 is a front `elevation of the fall block removed from the carrier. tional view on the line 7-7 of Fi' 1.

Similar reference characters in icate corresponding parts throughout the several views ofthe drawings.

Fig. 7 is a secblocks 10 spaced from one end of the carrletc'i Referring to the drawings by numerals, the carrier comprises spaced parallel blocks l0, preferably constructed from wood, and to the inner faces of which are suitably fixed metallic lining plates 11 which cover the entire inner faces of said blocks. Secured in any suitable manner to the outer faces of the blocks at their upper longitudinal edges are reinforcing bars or strips 12 which serve to strengthen the blocks. Mounted upon the upper longitudinal edges of the blocks 10 in suitable seats are bearings 13, the same being secured thereto by means of bolt members 14, and in these bearings are journaled the axles 15 of spaced alinin pulley wheels 16, which engage and trave upon a suspension cable 17, the latter eX- tending between the said blocks 10, and its terminal is connected in any suit-able man-` ner to the ordinary well-known supports therefor, the cable being slightly inclined in one direction for the gravitation of the carrier from one point to another, for a purpose as will be hereinafter more fully described. Suitably secured at opposite ends of the blocks l0 and against the outer faces thereof are st-rap irons 18, the same being formed with downwardly converging extensions 19 projecting below the plane of the blocks 10 and to which are secured inwardly and upwardly curved guide `irons 20, the inner ends of which are spaced from and suitably secured to the blocks 10. Thus the space 21 between the said inner ends of the guide irons 20 is adapted to receive a haul block, as will be hereinafter more fully described. 'l Bolted or otherwise secured `to the exten- `sions 19 at the points of connection of the outer ends of the guide irons 20 are the outer ends of upwardly bowed brace straps or irons 22 which intersect the space 21 between the inner ends of the guide irons 2O and 'serve as stops to limit the movement of the haul block in one direction when entering the said space 21 between the guide irons.

f Carried by and mounted exteriorly of the blocks 10 are trip arms orlevers 23, the same being connected to the said blocks by means of a common pivot pin 24, the same being passed transversely through the Said the trip arms or levers 23 being passe through and working in guide loops or eyes 25 fixed to the strap irons 18 at one end'of.

nected to the guide irons 2O by means ofv pivots 28 which permit the swinging of the said catches. Pivoted to said catches 27 are pivotally connected links 29, the same being also pivoted to guide irons 20 and to a pair of these links 29 is pivotally connected a pair of long links 30, the same being also pivotally connected to short arms 31 pivoted, as at 32, at their free ends exteriorly to the blocks 10, the short arms 31 being cony 'nected with the trip levers or arms 23 by means of short links 33, so that upon the raising of the said vtrip levers or arms 23, the link connections between the same and the catches 27 will automatically move the said catches out of the path of the space 21 from their normal locking position, thus releasing thehaul block, as will be ,hereinafter more fully described.

The haulf block comprises a sheave or i V.pulley frame 34, in which is journaled in the ordinary manner the usual block wheels or pulleys 35, over which is trained a 4hoisting or elevating cable 36, one end of which is secured or attached to a stationary pin 37 between the blocks 10, the said pin 37 being suitably secured within the said blocks, while the remaining portion of the said elevating or hoisting cable 36 is trained over suitable guide pulleys 38 and 39, respectively, arranged between the said blocks 10, the pulley 38 being journaledy upon a suitable axle 40 mounted in bearings 41 suitably fixed exteriorly upon the blocks 10, while the pulley 39 is journaled upon the common pivot 24 for the trip arms or levers 23. Thus on pulling on vthe free end of the elevating or hoisting cable 36, the haul block will be raised toward the carrier and upon slackening the said cable 36, this haulv block will be lowered from the said carrier. The frame 34 of the haul block carries the usual depending hook 42, to which is adapted to be attached a load for the transportation there- Iof by the carrier. The haul block has fixed to its frame 34 at the upper vend a. cross bar 43 which projects laterally from the said frame 34 and is adapted to enter the space 21 between the guide irons 20, so as to be engaged by the catches 27 which will lock the haul block from lowering movement and to the carrie-r.

The bumper for stopping the carrier on the suspension cable 17 and for operating t-he trip arms or levers 23 comprises a pair of spaced parallel blocks 44, the same being secured to the suspension cable 17 by means of bolt members 45 passed transversely through the blocks, the cable 17 being clamped between the said blocks 44 and the boltmembers are 'passed through vertical reinforcing strips 46 secured against the outer face of the blocks 44 at opposite ends thereof. Mounted at opposite sides of the blocks 44 near the upper longitudinal` edges thereof and at the forward ends of the same are brackets 47, in which are journaled frict-ion rollers 48, the latter protruding laterv ally from opposite sides of the blocks 44 into the pathof the upwardly curved free extremities 26 of the trip levers or arms 23, s0 that when these extremities 26 contact with the friction rollers 48, the said trip arms or levers 23 are raised, thereby retracting, or in other words, moving the catches 27 out of the path of the space 21, thus automati cally unlocking the haul block normally engaged by the catches 27 and permitting the same to be lowered to the ground.

Pivotally connected to the guide irons 2O at the ends of the carrier adapted to approach the bumper, are latch levers 49, each terminating at one end in a hook-like down! wardly curved latchextremity 50. These hook-like latch extremities 50 are adapted to engage with laterally extending lugs or ears 51 formed on the reinforcing straps 46 at the front end of the bumper, and when engaged therewith lock the carrier to the bumper to obviate any possibility of back hauling of the said carrier. The latch arms 49 extend rearwardly and intersect the space 2l between the guide irons 20, so as to lie in the path of movementof the haul block when entering the said` space 21. Thus on the entrance of the haul block, thecross bai'` 43 will engage the latch arms 49, thereby unlocking the hook-like latch extremities 50 from the lugs 51 of the bumper, and in-this manner the carrier will be free from its locked engagement `with the said bumper, whereby the carrier will be freed for traveling upon the suspension cable 17 away vfrom the bumper for the transportation of a load.

Connected with the trip arms or levers 23 and the latch arms 49 are retractile springs 52 which are designed to act upon said trip and latch arms, respectively, for holding the same normally in the vpath of the friction rollers 48 and laterally extending lugs or ears 51, whereby the said latch arms 49 will have their hook-like extremities 50 engaging the lugs 5l andthe trip levers 23 have their upwardly curved free extremities 26 engage the friction rollers 48 on the bumper. Thus, it will be: seen that vthe trip levers will automatically release the catches 27, thereby releasing the haul block and simultaneously the latch arms 49 will automatically lock the carrier to the bumper, so that the said carrier will be held passive during the lowering of the haul block by the slackening of the elevating cable 36, whereby the said haul block may be lowered to the ground for its load.

Secured to the blocks 44 of the bumper are outwardly curved guard fingers 53, between which is adapted to enter the carrier when in proximity to the bumper, the guard lingers 53 being adapted to prevent the side swinging of the carrier when the same has arrived at the bumper, thereby assuring the positive locking of the carrier to the latter. The springs 52 also serve to maintain the catches 27 in position for engagement with the cross bar 43 on the haul block, when the carrier is unlocked from the bumper. Thus, when the haul block is locked to the carrier, it will be prevented from lowering during the travel of the carrier on the suspension cable 17 when transporting a'load by the said carrier when connected with the haul block.

In the operation of the carrier, the bumper is positioned and clamped to the suspension cable 17 at the point where it is desired to receive a load, and when the carrier is receiving a load to be transported, it is shifted on the cable 17 to a position contiguous the bumper, whereby the latches 49 will lock the carrier thereto, and when so locked the trip arms or levers 23 are moved upwardly, thus swinging the catches 27 out of the path of the space 21 between the guide irons 20, and on the slackenin of the clevating cable 36, the haul block 1s lowered to the ground, whereupon the load may be attached to the haul block. After the load has been attached, an operator pulls upon the elevating cable 36 raising the haul block with its load, and as the said haul block is raised, the cross bar 43 is moved into the space 21 striking the latches 49, automatically releasing the same from'their locked engagement with the bumper, the carrier being now free for travel upon the cable 17 and the instant it leaves the bumper, 4the trip arms will be lowered, automatically moving the catches 27 into the path of the space 21 for their engagement with the cross bar'43 of the haul block, thus locking the same to the carrier, whereby the load may be conveyed'by the carrier to the desired point for its discharge.

When the carrier has reached its dest-ination, where the load transported thereby is to be discharged, an operator merely tilts the receiver supporting the load for the dumping thereof, the receiver being not shown, the elevating cable 36 being utilized for the purpose of moving the carrier from the bumper to the point of destination for the discharge of the load attached to the haul block coupled with the carrier.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood, without requiring a more extended explanation, andtherefore the same has been omitted.

What is claimed is:

l. In a load carrier, a frame comprising spaced parallel blocks, means connecting the blocks in a unit, pulleys journaled upon said blocks and adapted to rotate between the same, a suspension cable on which the pulleys are adapted to travel, spaced guide irons connected with the blocks, a haul shackle having lateral extensions movable between the said guide irons, means for raising and lowering the shackle toward and away from the frame, catch devices pivotally connected with the guide irons and movable into and out o't' the path of movement of the said lateral extensions on the shackle for engaging and disengaging the same, trip levers pivoted to the blocks of the frame and having connection with the said catch devices, and a bumper fixed to the suspension cable in the path of the trip levers for engaging the same to rctract the catch devices for releasing the haul shackle.

2. In a load carrier, a frame comprising spaced parallel blocks, means connecting the blocks in a unit, pulleys journaled upon said blocks and adapted to rotate between the same, a suspension cable on which the pulleys are adapted to travel, spaced guide Irons connected with the blocks, a haul shackle having lateral extensions movable between the said guide irons, means for raising and lowering the shackle toward and away from the frame, catch devices pivotally connected with the guide irons and movable into and out of the path of movement of the said lateral extensions on the shackle for engaging and disengaging the same, trip levers pivoted to the blocks ot the frame and having connection with the said 4catch devices, a bumper fixed to the suspension cable in the path of the trip levers :for engaging the same to retract the catch devices for releasing the haul shackle, and means acting on the trip levers for normally holding the same in position, whereby the catches will be in the path of the upward movement of the lateral extensions of the shackle for engagement therewith.

3. In a load carrier, a frame comprising spaced parallel blocks, means connecting the blocks in a unit, pulleys journaled upon said blocks and adapted to rotate between the same, a suspension cable on which the pulleys are adapted to travel, spaced guide irons connected with the blocks, a haul shackle having lateral extensions movable between the said guide irons, means for raising and lowering the shackle toward and away from the frame, catch devices pivotally connected with the guide irons and movable into and out of the path of movement of the said lateral extensions on the shackle for engaging and disengaging the same, trip levers pivoted to the blocks of the frame and having connection with the said catch devices, a bumper fixed to the suspension cable in the path of the trip levers forengaging the same to retract the catch devices for releasing the haul shackle, means acting on the trip levers for normally holding the same in position, whereby the catches will be in the path of the upward movement of the lateral extensions of the shackle for engagement therewith, and latch bars having connection with the said last-named means whereby they will automatically engage the bumper for locking the carrier thereto.

4l. In a load carrier, a frame comprising spaced parallel blocks, means connecting the blocks in a unit, pulleys journaled upon said blocks and adapted to rotate between the same, a suspension cable on which the pulleys are adapted to travel, spaced guide irons connected with the blocks, a haul shackle having lateral extensions movable between the said guide irons, means 4for raising and lowering the shackle toward and away from the frame, catch devices pivotally connected with the guide irons and movable into and out of the path of movement of the said lateral extensions on the shackle for engaging and disengaging the same, trip 4levers pivoted to the blocks of the frame and having connection with the said catch devices, a bumper fixed to the suspension cable in the path of the trip levers for engaging the same to retract the catch devices for releasing the haul shackle, means acting on the trip levers for normally holding the same in position, where- Yby the catches will be in the path ot the upward movement of the lateral extensions of the shackle for engagement therewith, latch bars having connection with the said last-nained means whereby they will automatically engage the bumper for locking the carrier thereto, and means on the bumper for prevent-ing lateral swinging of the frame when connected with said bumper.

5. In a load carrier, a frame comprising spaced parallel blocks, means connecting the blocks in a unit, pulleys journaled upon said blocks and adapted to rotate between the same, a suspension cable on which the pulleys are adapted to travel, spaced guide ironsconnected with the blocks, a haul shackle having lateral extensions movable between the said guide irons, means for raising and lowering the shackle toward and away from the frame, catch devices pivotally connected with the guide irons and movable into and out of the path of movement of the Asaid lateral extensions on `the shackle for engaging and disengaging `the same, trip levers pivoted to theblocks ofthe frame and having connection with the said catch devices, a bumper fixed to the suspension cable inthe path of the trip levers lfor engaging the same to retract the catch devices for releasing the haul shackle, means acting on the trip levers for normally holding the same in position, whereby the catches will be inthe path of the upward movement of the lateral extensions of the shackle for engagement therewith, latch bars having connection with the said last-nained means whereby they will automatically engage the bumper for locking the carrier thereto, means on the bumper for preventing lateral swinging of the frame when connected with said bumper, and guide pulleys journaled between the blocks andvover which is trained the means for raising and lowering the haul shackle.

6. In a load carrier, a frame comprising spaced parallel blocks, means connecting the blocks in a unit, pulleys journaled upon said blocks and adapted to rotate between the same, a suspension cable on which the pulleys are adapted to travel, .spaced guide irons connected with the blocks, a haul shackle having lateral extensions movable between the said guide irons, means for raising and lowering .the shackle toward and raway from the frame, catch devices pivotally connected with the guide irons and movable into and out of the path of movement of the said lateral extensions on the shackle for engaging and disengaging thesame, trip levers pivoted to the blocks of the frame and having connection with the ,said catch devices, a bumper fixed to the suspension cable in the path ofthe trip levers for engaging the same to retract the catch-devices `for releasing the haul shackle, means acting on Jahe trip levers for normally holding the same in position, whereby the catches will be in the path of the upward movement of the lateral extensions of the shackle for engagement therewith, latch bars having connection with the said last-named means whereby they will automatically engage the bumper for locking the carrier thereto, means on the bumper for preventing lateral swinging of the frame whenconnected with said bumper, guide pulleys journaled be tween the blocks and over which is trained the means for raising and lowering the haul shackle, and extensions formed on the latch levers and projected into the path of upward movement ot' the lateral extensions on the shackle for automatically releasingvthe said latch levers when the shackle is moved between the guide irons.

` 7. In a load carrier, a frame comprising spaced parallel blocks, means connecting the blocks in a unit, pulleys journaled upon said blocks and adapted to rotate between the same, a sus ension cable on which the pulleys are a apted to travel, spaced guide irons connected with the blocks, a haul shackle having lateral extensions movable between the said guide irons, means for raising and lowering the shackle toward and away from the frame, catch devices pivotally connected with the guide irons and movable into and out of the path of movement of the said lateral extensions on the shackle for engaging and disengaging the same, trip levers pivoted to the blocks of the frame and having connection with the said catch devices, a bumper fixed to the suspension cable in the path of the trip levers for engaging the same to retract the catch devices for releasing the haul shackle, means acting on the trip levers for normally holding the same in position, whereby the catches will be in the path of the upward movement of the lateral extensions of the shackle for engagement therewith, latch bars having connection with the said last-named means whereby they will automatically engage the bumper for locking the carrier thereto, means on the bumper for preventing lateral swinging of the frame when connected with said bumper, guide pulleys journaled between the blocks and over which is trained the means for raising and lowering the haul shackle, extensions formed on the latch levers and projected into the path of upward movement of the lateral extensions on the shackle for automatically releasing the said latch levers when the shackle is moved between the guide irons, and friction rollers carried by the bumper for engagement by the said trip levers.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

Witnesses:

Jol-IN ANDERSON, Louis ABER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

